Girardi was hired before the 2008 season and agreed last month to a four-year contract. The Yankees missed the playoffs this season for just the second time in 19 years.

Rangers, Astros to play exhibition

SAN ANTONIO  The Texas Rangers are going to the Alamo again, this time to play the Houston Astros.

Organizing officials said the AL West rivals will play exhibition games at the Alamodome on March 28-29.

Texas played the San Diego Padres twice there last March, the first baseball games in the building that previously hosted NFL games, the NCAA Final Four and NBA finals.

A customized 133,000 square-foot AstroTurf field was built for the facility. The right-field pole is only about 280 feet from home plate, with a 16-foot-high wall is in right field.

Ryan-Sanders Baseball, the organizing group established in part by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, said there will also be exhibition games in the Alamodome in 2015.

Ryan resigned last month as CEO of the Rangers.

Reds sign Pena

CINCINNATI  The Reds agreed in principle on a deal with catcher Brayan Pena, who has played for the Braves, Royals and Tigers during his nine-year career.

The deal is contingent upon Pena passing a physical.

Pena, who turns 32 in January, would become the third catcher on the Reds roster, along with Ryan Hanigan and Devin Mesoraco. Corky Miller was designated outright to the minors after last season and chose free agency rather than accept the assignment.

Pena batted .297 in 71 games for the Tigers last season with four homers and 22 RBIs. He went 1 for 3 in the playoffs with an RBI single during a 4-3 Game 5 loss to Boston. Pena threw out 24 percent of runners who tried to steal on him last season.